Tornado rips through Kansas farmstead

Severe weather has been the story of the spring in the nation's midsection. Mother Nature's temper has flared most in the last two weeks, bringing damage to much of the Plains and Midwest.

Though the modern farmstead is now reduced to rubble, no life was lost when a tornado struck the Pfizenmaier farm west of Clay Center, Kansas, on Thursday evening. The family's farm buildings, including a large barn and machine shed, were totally wiped out, according to Maureen Pfizenmaier. Agriculture Online Editor John Walter was on the scene shortly after the storm struck.

"We knew it was coming to hit us. It was very quick. It probably only lasted 15-20 seconds," Pfizenmaier tells Walter in an Agriculture Online exclusive. "We took a look outside and realized there was nothing left.

"We are okay."

Thursday's tornado wasn't the only severe weather to strike the area this week. On Monday, Pfizenmaier says they had softball-sized hail that caused severe damage to the family's home and vehicles. The insurance agent had been at the farm just two hours before Thursday's tornado struck, assessing the previous storm's damage.

"Despite all the technology we possess as farmers, weather has the final say," Walter says.

Watch as Walter, Pfizenmaier and storm chaser "Tornado Tim" Baker of Greeley, Colorado, talk about some of the severe weather in the nation's midsection this week.

Severe weather has been the story of the spring in the nation's midsection. Mother Nature's temper has flared most in the last two weeks, bringing damage to much of the Plains and Midwest.